Same ACS Element, Two Tests: How the Written and the Oral Ask It
Knowledge elements from the Aviation Mechanic Airman Certification Standards (ACS) also supply oral questions; passing the airframe and powerplant (A&P) written tests does not remove the oral. For A&P written vs oral questions, our study advice is to practice giving an explanation without answer choices before the oral and practical (O&P).
FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed A-1, PDF 65
On this page
What carries from the written into the O&P oral?
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ACS says knowledge and risk management elements are also evaluated in the knowledge testing phase. The standalone oral does not allow reference material to answer the examiner’s questions.
FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed A-2, PDF 66 · FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed A-1, PDF 65
The Mechanic Test Generator (MTG) FAQ connects additional oral questions to the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR): one question per distinct missed code. At least four randomly generated questions per applicable section are also included. Several missed written questions sharing one code produce only one additional oral question.
Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — PDF 3 (no printed page number); Oral-related Questions · Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — PDF 4 (no printed page number); Oral-related Questions
Our comparison below uses one public written item and three public oral questions. The first comparison joins two drawing topics under a current ACS element; the other two show only an ACS element and its public oral example. None identifies the questions on your assigned exam.
Example 1: drawings, a written choice and a spoken explanation
AM.I.B.K1: “Drawings, blueprints, sketches, charts, graphs, and system schematics, including commonly used lines, symbols, and terminology.”
FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 3, PDF 8
The FAA’s August 10, 2021 Aviation Maintenance Technician General (AMG) sample document says its sample questions “are not necessarily actual test questions.” Public written sample, question 34: “In a sectional view drawing, what sections illustrate particular parts of an object?” The choices are A. Removed; B. Revolved; C. Half.
AMG Sample Questions (August 10, 2021) — printed 1, PDF 1; Opening note · AMG Sample Questions (August 10, 2021) — printed 9, PDF 9; Question 34 · AMG Sample Questions (August 10, 2021) — printed 9, PDF 9; Question 34; all three choices visible
The General handbook states, “A removed section illustrates parts of an object.” The 2021 written sample tags this item with the learning statement code AMG013. Our answer check selects A from that handbook sentence; the sample question page is not being represented as an official answer key. Grouping the item under current AM.I.B.K1 is our topic mapping, not an FAA-published crosswalk.
FAA-H-8083-30B, General (2023) — printed 4-3, PDF 126; Chapter 4, Sectional Views · AMG Sample Questions (August 10, 2021) — printed 9, PDF 9; Question 34 metadata
The FAA’s sample oral and practical test, marked “SAMPLE TEST FOR PRACTICE PURPOSES ONLY,” lists this oral question under AM.I.B.K1: “When is a full section view used on an aircraft drawing?” The sample answer concerns interior construction or hidden features that exterior views cannot show clearly.
Our practice advice: distinguish a removed section from a full section, explain the visibility problem, and point to the relevant drawing view. The two questions share a broad drawings element, but they do not ask for the same fact. A correct letter alone would not answer the oral question.
Example 2: simple machines, without multiple-choice prompts
AM.I.J.K3: “Simple machines and mechanics.” Public oral sample, AM.I.J.K3: “Two gears with teeth on their outer edges act like what class of lever?” The sample identifies a first class lever.
FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 16, PDF 21 · Sample Test, Oral and Practical — practice purposes only — PDF 1 (no printed page number); SAMPLE TEST FOR PRACTICE PURPOSES ONLY
Our rehearsal suggestion: answer the class question first, then use a sketch to show the relationship you mean. Check the explanation against the handbook before adding detail. An unsupported story about gear geometry adds confusion rather than completeness; the sample supplies a concise answer, not a requirement to deliver a lecture.
Example 3: landing gear terminology within a broader element
AM.II.E.K1: “Fixed and retractable landing gear systems.” Public oral sample, AM.II.E.K1: “References to auxiliary landing gear refer to what gear on any particular aircraft?” The sample answer names the nose gear, tail gear, or outrigger type.
FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed 26, PDF 31 · Sample Test, Oral and Practical — practice purposes only — PDF 2 (no printed page number); SAMPLE TEST FOR PRACTICE PURPOSES ONLY
Our advice: name the gear before expanding the answer. If you discuss a particular airplane, separate the sample’s general terminology from that airplane’s configuration. Keep operating limits and maintenance procedures tied to applicable data; the public terminology question does not establish either.
Use the samples as a check on explanation
The ACS says an applicant should be well prepared in all included knowledge, risk management, and skill elements. Our method: cover the answer, speak a first response, reopen the source, and revise only what the question calls for. Add the reason, a relevant limit, or a source location when useful; those prompts are study advice, not extra FAA scoring criteria. For the broader learning method, see our guide on memorizing versus explaining on the oral.
FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed A-1, PDF 65
Frequently asked questions
Does an O&P oral question always match a written sample?
No, a shared ACS topic does not mean the same wording or a one-to-one pairing of questions. In our drawings example, the written sample asks you to pick one kind of section from three choices, while the oral sample asks when a full section view is used.
Can I open a handbook during the standalone oral?
No, the ACS excludes reference material when answering the standalone oral questions.
FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021) — printed A-1, PDF 65
Are the AMG sample questions actual test questions?
No, the FAA expressly qualifies the samples as not necessarily actual test questions.
AMG Sample Questions (August 10, 2021) — printed 1, PDF 1; Opening note
Do three misses under one ACS code add three oral questions?
No, repeated misses within a single code add one oral question for that code, according to the MTG FAQ.
Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — PDF 4 (no printed page number); Oral-related Questions
Oral coming up soon? Try the full thing free for 30 days
We are running a small pilot before launch. If your oral and practical is in the next few weeks, you get every section of the voice mock oral free for 30 days, no card. In return, tell us honestly what helped and what didn’t.
Start the free pilotLimited spots. The pilot closes on November 30.
Passed a written? Get your oral study plan by email
Paste the ACS codes on your Airman Knowledge Test Report (AKTR). We’ll email you a study plan now, then two short tasks built from your codes: one on day 3, one on day 7. That’s all.
Related guides
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Primary sources
- FAA-S-ACS-1 (November 1, 2021)
- FAA-H-8083-30B, General (2023)
- Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023)
- AMG Sample Questions (August 10, 2021)
- Sample Test, Oral and Practical — practice purposes only
Before the oral
Plan for one oral question for each distinct missed ACS code, together with at least four random questions in each applicable section. Our final check: put the choices away and say the answer in your own words. Use a short voice rehearsal to expose the part you can recognize but cannot yet explain.
Mechanic Test Generator FAQs (May 22, 2023) — PDF 3 (no printed page number); Oral-related Questions
Try explaining a topic out loud
About this guide: drafted with AI from the FAA sources listed on this page and checked claim by claim against them. Not reviewed by an A&P mechanic or DME. How we make our guides
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